The film 127 Hours delves into a number of themes, such as: taking risks while alone, the power of music and its importance to human beings, belief and faith, accident vs. risk, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, dangerous situations… Articles on the film:
2 purposes – to discuss the story /theme, but also, to analyze the film maker’s choices in this movie and to judge (critical) the effect of these choices on the audience http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/8223925/127-Hours-Aron-Ralstons-story-of-survival.html http://www.listal.com/viewentry/831887
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/127-hours-2010
http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/media/film/Rough-Cut.html?page=all http://www.adventure-journal.com/2010/11/what-you-should-know-about-aron-ralston/ Personal Response Assignment
http://www.127definingmoments.com/#/definingMoments?ti=0
After watching and studying the film, reflect on a defining moment in your life. We often talk about character epiphanies (realizations). Use one or two of Ralston’s quotes as a springboard for your own personal reflection. Write out a response and video tape it. Due Tuesday, October 22nd as well as Journal. (Personal Response Rubric – Thoughts and Ideas/Presentation) Quotes from Aron Ralston novel, Between a Rock and a Hard Place “It’s me. I chose this. I chose all of this — this rock has been waiting for me my entire life. I’ve been moving towards it my whole life.” “Saying farewell is also a bold and powerful beginning.”
You’ll never find your limits until you’ve gone too far.”
“How would I behave in a situation that caused me to summon the essence of my character? The tragedy inspired me to test myself. I wanted to reveal to myself who I was: the kind of person who died, or the kind of person who overcame circumstances to help himself and others”
“Indeed, it has affirmed my belief that our purpose as spiritual beings is to
follow our bliss, seek our passions, and live our lives as inspirations to each other.”
“Like looking through a telescope into the Milky Way and wondering if we’re alone in the universe, it made me realize with the glaring clarity of desert light how scarce and delicate life is, how insignificant we are compared with the forces of nature and the dimensions of space. (…) We are not grand because we are at the top of the food chain or because we can alter our environment – the environment will outlast us with its unfathomable forces and unyielding powers. But rather than be bound and defeated by our insignificance, we are bold because we exercise our will anyway, despite the ephemeral and delicate presence we have in this desert, on this planet, in this universe.”
“Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which, in prosperous circumstances, would have lain dormant. -Horace”
“dum spiro, spero
-Part of the official state motto of South Carolina. Literally, “While I breathe, I hope” Or more loosely, “Where there is life, there is hope.”
“That boulder did what it was there to do. Boulders fall. That’s their nature. It did the only natural thing it could do. It was set up, but it was waiting for you. Without you coming along and pulling it, it would still be stuck where it had been for who knows how long. You did this, Aron. You created it. You chose to come here today; you chose to do this descent into the slot canyon by yourself. You chose not to tell anyone where you were going. You chose to turn away from the women who were there to keep you from getting in this trouble. You created this accident. You wanted it to be like this. You have been heading for this situation for a long time. Look how far you came to find this spot. It’s not that you’re getting what you deserve – you’re getting what you wanted.” ― Aron RalstonBetween a Rock and a Hard Place
